Former Texas Rep. Kay Granger Passes Away at 83

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Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, passed away on Sunday at the age of 83. Her former colleagues have honored her as a trailblazer who advanced opportunities for women.

Granger made history as the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. She also became the first Republican woman from Texas to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first female Republican chair of the appropriations committee.

After serving in the U.S. House since 1997, Granger retired last January due to health issues and significant time away from Washington. Her career included nearly three decades of public service.

Photo of Kay Granger leaving a meeting. — The late Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, leaving a meeting of the House Republican Conference on January 30, 2024. (Photo by Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Republican lawmakers remember Granger as a barrier-breaker for women. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated, “Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Worth, Texas community – as a teacher and businesswoman, on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission and City Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for nearly three decades, where she also served as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service.”